john dooley wrote:
Oliver Frank wrote:
If you can deliver to an Argus client, it is still in your interest
that GPs use Argus, because it relieves you of the need to write your
own client downloading software, install it in every practice that
uses your lab, and maintain all those client installations. You could
consider donating a small amount to ArgusConnect for every GP practice
that installs Argus so that you can send your results to them via Argus.
Your presumptions are based on all installs being of benefit to a path
firm. The smaller you are the less this is true.
But what if my suite includes a client that doesnt cost me anything
anyway? Sure its proprietary but lets do some math: 500 doctors at $40
a head $20k for me to spend to support an argus rollout (rather than the
current system), and of those 500 doctors maybe 10% refer to me. How is
that fair and equitable.
What I had in mind was that for every practice that actually uses your
laboratory and installs Argus, saving you the trouble of installing and
maintaining your own download client at that practice, you could send a
few dollars to ArgusConnect. There is no point in your doing anything
with practices that are not using your laboratory.
How about copy to: drs that want their results via Argus but have no
intention of using path firm X yet still want electronic reports from X
actually contribute to their own requirements and install and maintain
it themselves *for their benefit*.
Completely fair enough.
> Then, I can send to them with their
preferred client and use what I prefer at my end.
Ditto.
>
> Did you ask the IMVS if they can deliver results to your argus client
> by chance?
Only for the last couple of years.
They should have listened
They may be thinking that now.
I also believe that if we have a choice of using an open source,
not-for-profit, messaging system developed in Australia that charges
no fees to send messages, or a closed-source, proprietary commercial
system which has to generate profits for its owners, we need to find
something seriously lacking in the former before we start paying money
to use the latter.
Thats fine. But please bear in mind little path firms do not have the
funding infrastructure of the big corporates. I cannot afford to even
look at something that starts at $4k and goes up just to deliver results
to a bunch of non referrers.
Don't deal with non referrers. However, you could say to non referrers:
"If you start using my laboratory, I can add my own download client to
all of the other ones on your server. I have a better suggestion: if
you install Argus, I will use your Argus client to send my results to
you. You will then be able to use Argus to stop corresponding on paper
and to eliminate nearly all of the associated handling, sending, storage
and scanning costs, by communicating electronically with medical
specialists, imaging practices and even with other pathology practices
(if you ever felt the need to do so ;-))."
I am also a trouble maker. Just remember Argus Enterprise afaik isnt
free. Is it even open source?
I don't know. I am not an expert in Argus, nor a salesman for Argus. I
have no more and no less to gain from seeing Argus succeed than any
other GP or any health professional in Australia.
I am a GP trying to run my practice as efficiently as possible, and
trying to help the health system as a whole to run as efficiently as
possible. I respectfully suggest that you ask Ross Davey your questions
about pricing and technical details of Argus.
We are all going somewhere together. Some of us are on the prow looking
ahead for land, some are merely along for the ride relaxing on the deck
with a drink in hand, and some of us are trying to work the rudder to
steer as best we can to somewhere that looks like where we want to go.
We may even take these roles in turn at times.
--
Oliver Frank, general practitioner
255 North East Road, Hampstead Gardens, South Australia 5086
Phone 08 8261 1355 Fax 08 8266 5149 Mobile 0407 181 683
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